Celebrating the Abrogation of Article 370: A New Era for Jammu and Kashmir

A New Chapter for Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu/Srinagar, August 5 - The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stated on Wednesday that the removal of Articles 370 and 35A on August 5, 2019, marked the beginning of a new era of unity, equality, and development in Jammu and Kashmir, fulfilling a long-standing national commitment. This declaration was made during a meeting of BJP spokespersons from Jammu and Kashmir, chaired by the party's chief spokesperson, Sunil Sethi, at the party headquarters in Jammu. Sethi emphasized, “August 5, 2019, symbolizes the start of a new era of unity, equality, and development for Jammu and Kashmir.”

The BJP asserted that this decision, made under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, has reinforced India's unity and integrity while ensuring the complete constitutional and developmental integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.

During the meeting, it was recalled that the BJP has advocated for the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A for decades. This decision reflects the party's commitment to the principle of 'One Nation, One Constitution' and guarantees equal rights and opportunities for all citizens of Jammu and Kashmir. The spokespersons also highlighted the positive changes that have occurred in the Union Territory over the past six years, including rapid infrastructure development, transparent governance, robust democratic institutions, improved welfare measures, and the extension of central laws and welfare schemes to all sections of society. They expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and central leadership for making this bold and historic decision in the national interest.

The party celebrated the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A across the Union Territory. On this occasion, Ashok Kaul, the General Secretary (Organization) of the BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit, cut a cake at the party office located in the Jawahar Nagar area of Srinagar. Although the party's youth workers planned a bike rally from Pantha Chowk to Lal Chowk City Center, the police did not permit them to proceed towards Lal Chowk and redirected them back to the party office.

BJP leader Altaf Thakur remarked that August 5 is a day of celebration as it ended the system of two constitutions and two flags in the country.